Head of Research and Field Advisor

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise to the scientific approach to trauma care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The consultant will be responsible for engaging with institutions, developing ties, and overseeing all published material.

1. Background

There are over 133.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance globally, with 80% of that need driven by violent conflict. The Eastern Mediterranean is the most affected region, with 74.8 million in need, representing 56% of the global total.[1] These complex emergencies have also impacted neighbouring countries, either directly or indirectly. Surging migrant and refugee populations further increase the demands on emergency and trauma systems, while the political context and bureaucratic constraints applied by local authorities can constrain strategic and system planning.

Violent injury contributes a substantial disease burden in the region, especially in the on-going conflicts in Libya, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. High incidence of violent injury requires sophisticated and well-resourced response mechanisms, placing enormous strains on already under-resourced and over-burdened health systems. But traditionally, only a very small number of humanitarian agencies have developed capacities for providing trauma care in conflict settings. Most humanitarian health agencies have not prioritized injury care in conflict because of mandate issues, security concerns and capacity and resource gaps; when non-specialized agencies do engage, it is too often uncoordinated and inconsistent with international standards. But the growing burden of trauma in current-day humanitarian emergencies can no longer be ignored. In several recent major humanitarian operations, WHO therefore has stepped in to lead and coordinate the trauma response.

In spite of the demonstrated effectiveness of WHOs interventions, implementation of trauma services that apply best practice referral pathways and clinical care remains ad hoc and unpredictable, dependent on the technical and financial resources available at the time. WHO is committed to ensure that effective trauma services are consistently established during humanitarian emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and to use these services to build the longer-term resilience of emergency medical systems.

The WHO has recently established the Operational Trauma Initiative, which aims to measurably improve health outcomes from trauma driven by humanitarian emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). As a new approach to working in humanitarian emergencies, at the heart of this initiative is a small, specialized Trauma Operational & Advisory Team (TOpAT). The TOpAT is a mobile team that works in humanitarian emergencies and provides both technical direction, and hands- on support. In some countries, where the needs are particularly high, the TOpAT will be complimented by a dedicated focal point in-country; an extension of the TOpAT. All of the interventions are judged by their ability to positively impact trauma patient outcomes.

One of the central pillars of the TOpAT is to ensure evidence -based practice in the region and invest in trauma research that can pave the way for effective healthcare interventions, ultimately shaping a new approach to humanitarian work in the field of the trauma care and thereby improving patient outcomes

Work to be performed:

Output 1**:** Lead the development of operational research for the trauma initiative

• Deliverable 1.1 Provide technical guidance and direction to the trauma research arm of the TOpAT
• Deliverable 1.2 Represent the TOpAT with external stakeholders and build a knowledge network of leading research institutions across the EMR, and globally.

Output 2. Coordinate activities and build consensus with the key external stakeholders to promote the trauma care vision and foster relationships for collaboration

• Deliverable 2.1 Coordinate and liaise with external stakeholders, including the CDC, Cambridge University, and others.

Output 3. Decide on all scientific material published by the TOpAT

• Deliverable 3.1 Direct, develop, review, edit and advise on the publication of all scientific material

Output 4. Conduct missions to countries as requested to undertake research, assessments and design trauma programmes

• Deliverable 4.1 Lead medical missions to WCOs as requested to undertake research, conduct assessments, and design trauma programmes
• Deliverable 4.2 Lead seminars and workshops to capacitate the WCOs on trauma research and writing

Duration and Remuneration (exclusive of per diem, travel costs or other expenses)

The consultant is expected to work for 90- days

Specific requirements

Consultant should have:

Education

• Minimum an advanced university (Master’s) degree in trauma sciences

Experience

• Over 10 years of humanitarian and/or military experience in delivering trauma services, including experience in editing medical manuscripts, related to trauma care. International experience is mandatory. Place of assignment

The Consultant may be requested to travel to countries, although this is not mandatory.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge**:**

• Understanding of the data publishing landscape, including detailed knowledge of open access publishing, and familiarity with community priorities in this area
• Proven skills in data analysis of a range of data sources.
• Extensive demonstrable editorial knowledge and experience in the selection and processing of manuscripts Proven skills and know-how in data representation and visualisation.
• Ability to work in a flexible manner under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner.
• Clear understanding of implementation methods and implementation science where applicable.
• Concrete skills and background of analyzing large data sets especially from low and middle-income countries.

Language requirements**:**

Excellent knowledge of English